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We need your help to raise as much as possible for the Scottish Community Foundation.
Preparation is the key to success. That's why we are putting ourselves through gruelling schedule of training walks. By the time the challenge comes we will have broken in our boots, toughened up our feet and maybe even lost a few pounds...
Carbeth Loch
The first walk served as a gentle introduction to the training schedule. We arrived at the visitor centre on a cold and windy February morning. As you can see from the pictures some team members were better equipped than others! We set off at a relaxed pace exploring the loch and the surrounding grounds eventually reaching Mugdoch Castle where the team braved the elements to discover the Castle's history. It was so cold on the day that parts of the Loch were frozen much to the delight of Robert who set about smashing the ice with his walking poles! After 3 hours and roughly 6 miles the team returned to their cars to thaw out.
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Polmont to Falkirk
The walkers met in the visitors car park for the Falkirk Wheel, all except Ian and Robert who were having navigational issues. The rest of the team set off at a fairly slow pace to allow Ian and Robert to catch up. The walk took them past the Falkirk Wheel then onto the Forth and Clyde canal. Half an hour later Ian and Robert caught up with the group, soaked in sweat after setting a new land speed record to make up the time.
The team enjoyed the scenic walk along the canal and made their way through the hazardous unlit tunnel near Falkirk. They continued along the canal until they got to Hallglen where they left the path and headed through Callendar Park towards Falkirk High train station before rejoining the canal for the return leg. Although the terrain was fairly flat and unchallenging the walk provided much needed walking experience over some distance!
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Tinto Hill
Suggested by Dave as an additional walk, Tinto Hill proved to be far more challenging than he remembered! The lads eventually arrived after some questionable navigation by Dave who allegedly grew up in the area. The weather conditions were ideal for the stunning scenery which was enjoyed by all as they climbed the 707m to the peak. Gary found his perfect 'Man Room' at the summit in the form of a stone armchair for some much needed rest and a share of Bryan's lunch! Dave also helped eat Bryan's lunch before a leisurely descent back to the car.
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Whangie to Burncrooks Reservoir and Auchineden Hill
The team (Iain, Davie, Lorraine, Anna, Ben, Robert, Bryan, Reggie and Harry) met in the car park at the bottom of the Queens View and quickly scampered up the hill against a strong wind. We somehow managed to choose the correct path to take us up to the top and stopped for the obligatory photo-session in what can best be described as a small tornado! Next thing to do was find the Whangie itself - a spectacular cleft in the rocks somewhere just off the summit.
At this point Iain stepped forward with his map & compass and leveraging all his military experience managed to lead us off in completely the wrong direction. After a good couple of hours of aimless wandering through peat bogs and temporary lochs, we finally stumbled upon the Whangie by complete accident. Unfortunately, Reggie - our intrepid Jack Russell mascot - had given up some time ago and had to be carried to our destination by Bryan. A good day was ended with lunch beneath the spectacular cliffs followed by a short stroll back down to the cars.
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Drymen to Balmaha - and back
Ever eager for exercise (and recovered from hangovers from the Friday night Caley Fundraiser at the Corn Exchange), Angela and Jill set off fairly early for Drymen. It did mean that tea & scones had to be scoffed at the hotel whilst waiting for the boys to arrive! Angela volunteered to buy - as Jill was £150 lighter having purchased two bottles of Whisky at the aforementioned gig. Having seen how much mixer she usually adds to her drinks - you have to hope she gives the bottles to someone who will appreciate them!!!
We had planned a one way trip - but the weather was so nice that after the obligatory small shandy in a local hostelry, we were up for the return trip. Luckily, this didn't mean having to go back over the Conic Hill. We took the easier option!!!
North Queensferry to Aberdour
We all met up in the Deep Sea World car park on what was a very bright but chilly day. There was a handy Fife Coastal Path map located at the entrance that helped us get started. What can I say, this has been one of the most up-lifting walks I've been on this year. Passing by some spectacular view, the St Michaels Kirk and some amazingly constructed and very expensive properties. A lovely day out where we ended up taking refreshments in the quiet village of Aberdour and then jumping on a train back to North Queensferry.
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Old Bridge of Tilt, Blair Athol
Not the easiest place to find but well worthwhile, as both Blair Athol and the Old Bridge were such beautiful and popular places. The car park had a walking post that showed each of five different routes; the last that we were interested in completing followed the Tilt River. A very steady and well marked route that meandered alongside the west river bank for five miles to a bridge crossing and then back via the east.
Milngavie to (almost) Drymen - and back
Walkers this day included Harry, Anna, Alan, Elaine and Angela. The four legged variety were represented by Toby and Jura.
We basically followed the West Highland Way route from Milngavie - stopping just short of Drymen. We came out in sympathy for the tired dogs at this point (!) and decided they needed to be taken back to the Beech Tree Inn for some refreshments.
We were very lucky with the weather - it was a fantastic day.
Pentland Peaks. Circular Route.
Not a promising start to the day. Angela showed up on time, waited 20 mins for the guys - then being the team player that she is - promptly left to make a start herself!!!
The walk started at the Rangers Centre at Flotterstone and took in five peaks - Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald law, East and West Kip. A superhuman (and sweaty) effort from Ian saw him catch Angela halfway up the second peak. They then waited at the bottom for Gary and David. As the two "youngsters" felt the need for refreshment/replenishment at that point, Angela persuaded Ian to leave them behind - fully expecting that they'd catch up at some point down the line.
That point happened to be after Ian and Angela had been in the pub for about 40 minutes - ready to move onto their second beer!! A pang of guilt and realisation that we may have to call out a search party meant Angela set off in the car to find the missing two (Ian decided the second beer was preferable to finding the guys). We were soon re-united!
A good, short but challenging route.
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Go Commando! Caledonian Challenge Training Day - Bein Glass Farm, Ardlui
Mountain and Glens organised a commando style training day for the Foustie Sair Toes team and any RBS team members who were brave enough!
A nervous crew of 20 would be commando's were dropped off at the Drovers Inn Ardlui and met by ex Royal Marine Commando and Grant Mitchell look alike Jim for the short walk to Beinglass farm. The group was then split into two teams for a navigation and map reading exercise - the task was navigate back to the farm after being dropped off 3 miles away. A seemingly simple task but both teams sonehow managed to head down the same dead end path courtesy of some inaccurate Ordance Survey mapping or utter incompetence!! Take your pick?.
After lunch the real fun started with survival skills lessons. Firelighting in the rain proved to be tough but the cavemen in the group saved the day. Then followed the bush tucker!! Earth worms or crickets for anyone who was hungry - oddly enough most people were feeling full at this point and just could not eat another thing. Harry stepped up to the plate and polished off a worm and then a cricket, yum yum! The leaves and plants proved to be more popular dishes as a educational and interesting afternoon ended all too quickly.
The new recruits to Dad's Army were then treated to a BBQ washed down with beer and wine before heading off to the Drovers Inn for a pint or two (it would have been rude not too!) for the bus home.
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Milngavie - Drymen - Milton of Buchanan - Drymen - Milngavie
The longest training walk so far meant the earliest start by far!! A 7:30am start in Milngavie. The usual Scottish summer weather followed on the route to Drymen with everyone getting a good soaking - fortunately Harry's predictions of Thunder and Lightning didn't come true (wouldn't be waiting for a call from the Met Office anytime soon big man!). A good pace was set by Ben as he disappeared into the distance as the team approached Drymen, which was a great idea until he missed the turn into Drymen, DOH! A 2 mile mistake he hopefully won't be repeating in the challenge.
Spurred on by the first meeting with the support team in Drymen the team headed off to Milton of Buchanan via the West Highland Way and were soon back in Drymen for hot pasta served up by the support team. Ben, walking like John Wayne at this point after 20 miles of chaffing, wisely decided enough was enough due to injury.
The remaining team members, Angela, Bryan and Harry set off, refreshed by the beautiful pasta, for the long trek back to Milngavie - quite why Bryan was still doing the walk just for fun is anyone's guess. The final push into Milngavie seemed to take forever but supported by Ian and his son Robert, who walked up the path to meet the team, all made it safely back to the cars by 6:45 pm.
Sore feet all round but a good distance covered in preparation for the big one!
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Ardlui - Inverarnan - Rowardennan - Balmaha
The team - comprising solely of Harry - set off on his own by train from Glasgow's Queen Street Station at 8:20am arriving in Ardlui at 10:00am. After sitting in a bus shelter for half an hour - avoiding the torrential rain - he finally set off for Inveranan and proceeded to walk down the east coast of Loch Lomond. The sun quickly came out from behind the clouds and a terrific day's walking began.
Unfortunately, Harry discovered that he isn't very good on his own and with no-one to talk to he started to go a bit mad... fortunately for him, there were enough people doing the West Highland Way for him to stop and have a chat with during the day, otherwise he may have decided to discard his clothing, equipment and not-so-promising marketing career and swim out into the loch "Reggie Perrin style".
Thankfully he arrived in Balmaha some 9 hours later for a pint of Stella and a lift home.
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North Queensferry - Aberdour - Burnt Island (and back)
The last training walk before the big event! The team on the day consisted of: Harry, Angela, Iain, Davey and Lorraine. We arrived at the Deep Sea World car park around 10am (some later than others) and headed off for a great day's walking. The sun was shining, the path was pretty easy going (no hills) and the route passed many lovely little coastal towns and beaches.
We stopped at St Bridget's Kirk (north of Dalgety Bay) for a spot of lunch before heading up to the outskirts of Burnt Island (11 miles) before turning around for the return journey. On the way back we stopped at a Silversands Bay for Ice Cream and to adjust our plasters. Our final stop was in Aberdour to refill out water bottles - by this point Iain had drank about 10 litres! We sauntered back into North Queensferry at around 6pm with our stomachs rumbling.
A relatively easy day's walking to conclude our training schedule, next up, 54 miles of the West Highland Way!!!
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